RavenGuard

Part 19

I felt the familiar torment of a blade sliding between my ribs. Amateur didn't even go for the kill. In a split second, I wrapped my bound hands around his neck and pulled down with all the strength I could muster. Spiderfell's head crashed into the side of the podium, blood trickling from his temple. He wouldn't be fighting back any time soon.

I fought through the sharp sting as I launched myself past the now startled looking guards, the hilt of the fine dagger still protruding from my back. Bastien grabbed one of the guards' swords and, with all the strength he could muster, swung it around just in time to both cut a decent sized rift into the side of one of the treacherous councilmen and narrowly avoid an arrow making contact with his head. Blood poured onto the stage as we ran, closely followed by two remaining guards who were loyal to the Regent and his interests, and Micah carrying the young Queen, who had been carefully knocked unconscious.

"You were right." Bastien panted as we reached the tunnel entrance. The Royal escape tunnel had never been used, but everyone in the Four families knew where it was. "It was never intended to be a trial. It was an execution from the beginning."

I nodded, feeling the blood start to spill down my shirt. "Oh, please. It's easy to spot if ya know what you're lookin' for." A slip of my street talk. Had to be more careful about that.

"So how do you know that Spiderfell didn't tell anyone about the hidden passage?" Micah this time.

"Secrets." I stated simply. I motioned for them to follow me, unsure of what might be lurking ahead in the tunnel. We started climbing through the ancient hallway, which was surprisingly tall enough for all of us to stand in.

"What?" One of the guards, I'd guessed. The last bit of light was swallowed up as the door slammed shut.

"He needs to keep some things secret. This is one of the places that would be dangerous for just anyone to know about." I explained, feeling my way along the wall until I found the first corner. 'Three rights and a left.' I noted mentally before turning the corner, grateful to find the first torch mounted on the wall. I called for everyone to stop while I fumbled with the flint. After several failed attempts, it flared to life.

I felt a hand on my hunched back. It lifted away the blood-soaked fabric and attempted to pull out the dagger, which had buried itself deeper into my flesh. With a new rush of pain, I cried out for them to stop.

"We can't just let it stay there. It's causing more internal damage as you move." Micah said, his voice calm, but still concerned.

"The blade is blocking the blood from spilling out. If we remove it and we're not prepared, I will die." I turned to face him. Everyone behind me looked unharmed, but the looks on their faces told me everything I needed to know. "We keep going." With that, we pushed ahead.

Three rights and a left. We turned the final corner, sunlight pouring through the slits in the grate. I motioned for us to stop as I climbed up the four remaining steps to freedom. My head spun from the effort of lifting my body up towards the bars the held us in. I peered out into the blur of green foliage, the vicious light forcing me to back away from the exit. Time seemed to slow to a crawl as I crashed to the ground and faded into the blackness.